In the Tall, Tall Grass

Product Description

If you were a fuzzy caterpillar crawling through the tall, tall grass on a sunny afternoon, what would you see?To find out, just follow the tiny tour guide as he inches his way through the pages of this book. You’ll see ants and bees and birds–hip-hopping bunnies too. You’ll even hear the sounds some of them make.Crunch, munch,caterpillars lunch…Crack, snap, wings flap…Beginning as the sun is high in the sky and ending as fireflies blink and the moon rises above, this backyard tour is one no child will want to miss.Denise Fleming’s In the Tall, Tall Grass has been named:1992 Boston Globe – Horn Book Award Honor Book for Picture BooksAn ALA Notable BookA School Library Journal Best BookAn American Bookseller Pick of the ListsA Booklist Editors’ Choice

From Publishers Weekly

An adventurous caterpillar unassumingly leads readers on an afternoon excursion through a backyard, unveiling nature’s sights and sounds from a larva’s perspective. Measured in caterpillar steps the journey is long, and before reaching the yard’s end, it’s time to sleep, with fireflies and bats visible in the night sky. This gentle tale is far from quiet, however–among other things, “bees hum,” “wings flap” and “moles scratch.” An array of vibrant verbs and boisterous onomatopoeic words in bold black type bounce across the pages, describing the various creatures (“zip, zap, tongues snap” accompanies fly-catching frogs). Fleming’s textured paper and bold, almost neon hues are a perfect match for her rough-hewn animal shapes and blades of grass. The ultimate kaleidoscope effect makes this title ideal for sharing with young explorers. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K– Bold, bright, stylized collage illustrations capture the eye and the imagination as they depict the simple, rhyming text of this outstanding nature tale. From a caterpillar’s point-of-view, children see the many happenings in the tall, tall grass: “crunch, munch, caterpillars lunch/dart, dip, hummingbirds sip” etc. Bees and birds, ants and snakes are among the daytime inhabitants. Then, with the “stars bright, moonlight” come nocturnal fireflies and bats: “good night, tall, tall grass.” The childlike illustrations were created by pouring colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils, resulting in remarkable images. Colors–shaded and varied–range full spectrum, deep and true through sunny yellow, cobalt, plum, a dozen shades of green. On each double page appears the blue-eyed, yellow-with-orange-spots caterpillar, always in proper perspective to the other creatures. Two-year-olds (and even younger) will enjoy the rhyme and rhythm, three-year-olds exploring numbers will love counting insects, four-year-olds–who are sure they can “read”–will experience success after a few listenings, and adults won’t mind the request, “Read it again, please.” A real charmer. –Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NB
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Charming.” ―The Horn Book, starred review“A terrific story-hour book. As day turns to night, a caterpillar crunches and munches his way through the tall, tall grass…. Besides a treat for eyes and ears, this can be used as an introductory nature lesson.” ―Booklist, starred review“Bold, bright, stylized illustrations capture eye and imagination as they convey the simple, rhyming text of this outstanding nature tale.” ―School Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for
In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen picture books, including
Buster. She lives in Toledo, Ohio.